Not just Cristiano Ronaldo

Football is important in Madeira.

There are two teams in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. As I write, CD Nacional (Ronaldo’s first professional team) are losing one nil at home.

This is the Marítimo Stadium. (They are away on Monday). The stadium is high up with probably the most spectacular views, both over the town and sea, and this one which shows the contours of the Madeiran interior - with some of the fire damage from recent years clearly visible.

If you look closely you can see the team on the pitch, training. Later I bumped into two of the players, carrying spectacular feathery angel wings into a car- for this evening’s Carnaval, but you never know.

I don’t know if my family read my blips, but I broke a promise this morning. The Levada da Piornais starts near the stadium, and I walked it alone this morning. I’ve promised not to do this. A firm reminder came when a local jogger told me to be very careful with my camera.

I was careful. And I was lucky. This is not the best part of town, high up and rather risky. I’ll not do it again.

I was frustrated as I was buzzed by a couple of amazing Monarchs, and the view over the Lido and the Coast was amazing.

Next time I’ll go with friends.
And next time I’ll go back to the restaurant near the stadium - fabulous, especially Mozart the cat.


EDIT: just got in from Carnaval and I thought I’d add an extra.